What do you think these bottles contain? At first glance, they might seem like simple bottles of water.
Look twice before purchasing
When you’re parched and heading to a convenience store or a vending machine in 2026, you are likely to pull out something that looks like mineral water without thinking twice. But in Japan, clarity doesn’t always mean plainness!
Many travelers have purchased what looks like a bottle of water only to be either highly amused or surprised.
From peach and pear to tea and even yogurt, “water” comes in an endless variety of flavors in Japan. In fact, it often takes a few seconds to ensure you are picking up a bottle that is actually just plain, unflavored water.
The Favorites: Yogurt and Tea
Yogurt-Flavored Water: This has been a consistent bestseller for years. Despite its transparent appearance, the taste is unmistakably creamy and sweet, similar to a light probiotic drink.
Transparent Tea: These drinks became a viral sensation on social media and remain popular in 2026. Whether it is transparent lemon tea or even “milk tea” that looks like water, the technology behind these drinks—which involves distilling the aroma and flavor components without the color—continues to fascinate.
The Health and “Chemical” Debate
Some people are often skeptical of how a drink can taste like milk or tea while remaining perfectly clear. However, Japanese beverage giants like Suntory and Asahi use natural flavoring components and steam distillation. In 2026, consumers are more used to these products, and labels have become even more detailed to satisfy Japan’s high health standards.
So why is there an obsession with flavored water in Japan?
According to Suntory, putting drinks like coffee, juices or tea can be considered immature or irresponsible at the work place. Apparently, colleagues tend to look down on those drinking anything other than water. Some people even mentioned that their seniors complained about them drinking a juice or coffee during a meeting.
So the packaging has intentionally been made similar to bottles of mineral water and you can easily sip of your favorite drink without any piercing looks. Plus if you’re one of those who dislikes water or has a sweet tooth, this can be your savior. The fact that most people use bookcovers to hide what they are reading suggests that people dislike showing any aspect of their personal life in public. No one wants other to know what they are drinking and probably more so at the workplace. So actually Suntory did a huge favor to those working in long-established companies with rigid rules. Who would’ve thought there was such an amazing reasoning to come up with these flavored waters!
